Sunday, November 8, 2009

Live Blogging "RaceDay" On SPEED

Fans have been outspoken in email about this two hour live show on SPEED. This TV series has been around for years and has a familiar format.

John Roberts hosts Kenny Wallace and Jimmy Spencer at the SPEED Stage. TDP spoke about this program a while back and how the activity at the stage had changed. Both Wallace and Spencer now spend a significant amount of time speaking directly to the fans.

This perhaps does not have the same approach as having the panelists compare opinions and have discussions on NASCAR topics. Spencer has been having a particularly tough time recently. He makes bold statements that confirm his opinion as the right one. Wallace is not allowed to disagree.

The change in the dynamic of the panel has drawn Roberts into some discussions as the voice of reason. Often, Spencer's statements are so out of line that Roberts must offer a gentle corrective comment to get things back on track. Why Spencer has taken this approach of always being right is still a mystery.

This week, Jeff Gordon is the subject of Wendy Venturini's "Real Deal" feature. This is the only regularly scheduled TV feature that presents a timely focus on a single subject. Venturini is an established presence on RaceDay, but has not appeared on Race Hub or The SPEED Report. Time for that to change.

Hermie Sadler continues to move between three roles. He has been a reporter, an analyst on the SPEED Stage and a commentator in the TV booth working practice and qualifying coverage. Not bad for a guy who fans have watched work his way into the TV line-up starting as the guy presenting the track descriptions.

RaceDay continues to be scheduled earlier to avoid any conflict with the Sprint Cup Series TV shows. At this time of the year, it might be healthier to have two competing pre-race shows live at the same time. It should also be interesting to see what the RaceDay panel has to say about some of the issues that occurred during and after the Talladega race.

Thanks to Steve Langley at MotorSportsNews.net for the photo.

This post will serve to host your comments about NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

36 comments:

The life's blood of Raceday is Wendy and Hermie walking the grid which doesn't happen when the network broadcasting the race has a 1 hour pre race show. I'm hoping that the earlier start times will shorten the network prerace and thereby give us back the grid walk. The loss of this leaves us with more Kenny and Jimmy and more is not better. If the 1 hour network prerace continues next year Speed should consider shrinking RD to 90 minutes.

It is going to be hard to make these pre-race shows interesting if Johnson advances his points lead today. I've been a Nascar fan for 10 years and I've NEVER missed a race. This is the first year I feel like I could miss a race and not miss much. That makes me sad. I'm hoping something will change to renew my interest. Maybe it's commenting on The Daly Planet Site!

Since it is a foregone conclusion Jimmy is going to win #4, short of his car not making it off pit road and Mark or Jeff winning...I hope he clinches today. Maybe then they can focus on ALL the racing and cover other drivers "stories".

I agree with kenny, there is too much downright bashing and insulting going around on twitter and facebook and not enough actual ideas being presented. To me, it just feels like hate. I would be happy if we actually got together and tried to SOLVE the issues, instead of just all the bickering.

@NRF--yup back in the glory days when AB was in the booth :(. He always did a great job! Giving us background AND calling the winner in. He knew what was going on and didn't need to do a "where'd he come from? WHO is this guy?" dealio!

Gymmie said... @NRF--yup back in the glory days when AB was in the booth :(. He always did a great job! Giving us background AND calling the winner in. He knew what was going on and didn't need to do a "where'd he come from? WHO is this guy?" dealio!

I don't remember AB in the "Glory Days"...Jenkins,Parsons,and Jarrett..now that was the glory days!!!

I just added some comments and my computer acted up when I hit "publish your comment" and I can't remember what I wrote so I'll just leave it for now. Anyway, I can only stand JS & KW for a few minutes then turn the channel. One of the ZZ Tops lived near us and he really stood out in the neighborhood!!!! It must be the mics that are causing them to not sing well today. TS Ida is causing rain today too hope it doesn't go as far north as Ft. Worth.

Brian doesn't WATCH the tv broadcast & thinks they are fine and fans have agendas?

He thinks fans aren't watching because Carl E isn't doing well and Jr is doing POORLY (Somebody better keep an eye on Jr, with NASCAR DUMPING poor ratings on his shoulders. THAT's disgusting and passing the buck)

JUST when I thought I could NOT feel more hopeless & helpless about this sport, I saw the Tweet about Dustin's interview with Brian.

He needs to be interventioned by the family and IMPEACHED or something.

@anon 2:02--LOL! Yes you are correct but I wasn't watching back then so my glory days start with the "new" TV contract and having AB in the booth was the best.thing.evah! But I have seen races on Classic and yes those men were awesome :). Miss you BP!